Too much in tangible assets still out there for the city to throw in the towel now, city leaders said

The XCOR Aerospace Hangar is part of the new Spaceport Business Park at Midland International Air & Space Port.

The XCOR Aerospace Hangar is part of the new Spaceport Business Park at Midland International Air & Space Port.

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The XCOR Aerospace Hangar is part of the new Spaceport Business Park at Midland International Air & Space Port.

The XCOR Aerospace Hangar is part of the new Spaceport Business Park at Midland International Air & Space Port.

Midland City Council approves spaceport extension

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The Midland City Council overwhelmingly voted to give the spaceport at Midland International Airport another five years.

By a 6-1 vote, council members approved the spending of $100,000 for the spaceport renewal license. The money will come from the Airport Operations Fund, not the city’s general fund.

Council members seemed to appreciate Councilman Spencer Robnett’s concern about economic development efforts that didn’t pan out, including the failed deals with XCOR Aerospace and Orbital Outfitters, which have either filed for bankruptcy or gone out of business since. Councilman Jeff Sparks even said during the meeting he felt the council was “duped” and that XCOR, in particular, was not what the council was led to believe.

Director of Airports Justine Ruff told the Reporter-Telegram on Monday that a total of $2 million in city dollars has been spent on the spaceport through Airport Operations Fund, which she said is funded through parking lot fees and money brought in through minerals on airport land.

Sparks and Councilman J.Ross Lacy also mentioned the “$10 million” in tangible assets that exist at Midland International because of Midland Development Corp. and Governor’s Office investments in aerospace in Midland.

“I am not ready to throw in the towel yet,” Sparks said.

“It is an asset for the city as a whole,” Lacy added.

Mayor Jerry Morales said the council this past year has given the MDC direction that the city wanted to continue spaceport operation. He also said spaceports are a place where the industry does more than launch aircraft. And as he learned through trips to aerospace symposiums, Morales said government officials expect communities with a spaceport in place will benefit with respect to the “$35 billion industry.”

Robnett countered, saying he does believe the “space business will evolve. I just don’t think it will be in Midland.”

After the meeting, Lacy, who serves on the Texas Aerospace and Aviation Advisory Committee, said having the only commercial airport and spaceport in the world is a distinction that puts Midland ahead of the game. He also commented that moving on to something else after four years is irresponsible.

Lacy said spaceport licensing is not costing the property taxpayers a cent, and he and Councilman Scott Dufford both mentioned afterward that had the council voted to deny a license extension the state could seek to recoup the $2 million given to Midland from the Spaceport Trust Fund.

There also are potential employers in town this week that city officials expect to occupy hangars A and B at the spaceport.

“They are coming here because we had $10 million in tangible assets in place,” Lacy said.